Spring is here and, for more than 35 million Americans, it’s time to deal with seasonal allergies. Spring’s pollen from flowers, trees, plants and grass is a common allergy trigger and irritant. Sneezing, wheezing, runny nose, and watery eyes are common symptoms but some people may experience fever, coughing, and itchy eyes as well.

Treatment can be very simple. Many people opt for traditional over-the-counter medications but all-natural supplements can be just as effective to relieve your allergy symptoms.

Several herbal ingredients have been used in formulas to alleviate allergy symptoms including quercetin, butterbur, goldenseal, grape seed extract, nettle leaf, spirulina, turmeric and bromelain. Some products contain an herbal blend of these natural ingredients and may be a better option than taking one ingredient by itself. For example, studies have shown that quercetin supplements can help reduce frequency of seasonal allergies, particularly when taken in conjunction with vitamin C. Many quercetin supplements contain vitamin C, bromelain and other herbal ingredients.

Additionally, European herb butterbur (Petasites hybridus) has had some very impressive clinical trial results. In one study, published recently in the British Medical Journal, a group of Swiss researchers showed how just one tablet of butterbur four times daily was as effective as a popular antihistamine drug in controlling symptoms of hay fever without the traditional symptom of drowsiness that sometimes occurs. In a second study, presented at the 60th annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, researchers approved butterbur’s effectiveness in quelling symptoms of grass allergy.